An exhibition to credit the outstanding accomplishments of 11 winning entries of the Hong Kong Heritage Awards (2004) will run from tomorrow (November 29) until March 31, 2006 at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.

By showcasing the winning projects' contents through texts, models and videos as well as the comments from the adjudicators, the "Winning Entries on Hong Kong Heritage Awards (2004) Exhibition" will enable visitors to better understand the importance of heritage conservation, at the same time commending the winners for their outstanding accomplishments in heritage preservation.

The Hong Kong Heritage Awards, jointly organised by the Antiquities Advisory Board and the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for the second time since 2001, aim to encourage and recognise schools and people from the community for significant achievements in heritage preservation and education.

Leading the prize presentation ceremony today (November 28) were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho Chi-ping; the Regional Adviser for Culture in Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Dr Richard Engelhardt; the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Mr Edward Ho Sing-tin; and the Chairman of the Council of the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, Professor David Lung Ping-yee.

Dr Ho said heritage preservation was one of the benchmarks to indicate whether a society had genuinely recognised modern values. A modernised society not only emphasised the method of science, efficiency of doing things, civic morals and all shared values in society, but also embraced heritage and lifestyles of different origins.

"Preservation of heritage buildings enables people to have common visual experience and topics for conservation, a common venue for things to happen and fostering a cultural identity.

"I am pleased to know that the entries of 2004 Awards are from various sectors in society. Their submissions consist of restorations of historical buildings, heritage publicity projects in communities, professional training of heritage-related staff, as well as heritage education projects, which reflects the diversified community concern towards heritage conservation in a broad spectrum.

"Public participation and support is vital to the continuation of the work of heritage preservation in Hong Kong", Dr Ho said.

The 2004 Awards received 21 submissions. After thorough deliberation by the Adjudication Panel, 11 entries won awards. The results are as follows:

Heritage Preservation and Conservation Awards
Award of Honour
"Restoration Works of Tung Wah Coffin Home" by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals

Award of Merit
"Caring for Our Heritage" Project by Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Limited

Heritage Education and Publicity Awards (School Category)
Award of Honour
"Architectural Conservation Programme" by Department of Architecture of The University of Hong Kong
"Yuen Long Heritage" Tour Guide Training Programme by Pak Kau College

Award of Merit
"Heritage Unlimited: Heritage Education in Formal and Extended Curriculum" by Good Hope School (Secondary Section)
"Learning English and Asian Cultures through Heritage Activities" by Ko Lui Secondary School
"Heritage Promotional Projects of QualiEd College" by QualiEd College
"Promotion of Heritage Preservation in School: From Understanding to Active Participation" by St. Joseph's College
"Student-centred and Life-wide Heritage Education" by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lui Yun Choy Memorial College

The Award of Honour of the Heritage Preservation and Conservation Awards, was granted to the "Restoration Works of Tung Wah Coffin Home", which demonstrated excellence in conservation practice applied to a group of historical buildings.

By restoring the historical buildings with traditional local knowledge and exceptional conservation techniques, the Coffin Home is a successful testimony to preserving a significant architectural topology in the Asia-Pacific region, protecting an important chapter of the history of the overseas Chinese.

The Award of Honour of the Heritage Education and Publicity Awards (Community Category) went to the Heritage Promotional Projects of the Christian Family Services Centre Lei Yue Mun NLCDP.

The project exemplifies community involvement and effort in conserving the heritage and history of the Lei Yue Mun community by means of a series of innovative activities and events. The emphasis on involving and empowering the community ensures the survival and sustainability of the community's cultural traditions.

Two entries have been given the Award of Honour of the Heritage Education and Publicity Awards (School Category). They are from the Department of Architecture of The University of Hong Kong and Pak Kau College. The Architectural Conservation Programme of the Department of Architecture, University of Hong Kong exemplifies excellence in heritage education not only in Hong Kong but also in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers a multi-disciplinary curriculum for professionals of diverse backgrounds in heritage conservation and cultural resource management.

Pak Kau College's "Yuen Long Heritage" Tour Guide Training Programme marks an outstanding achievement by students. By introducing local heritage to members of the community as well as visitors, students are given the opportunity to acquire thorough knowledge about Hong Kong’s heritage, it also helps foster a sense of belonging to their community. The project nurtures the students for leadership, organisation and docent skills.

Located at Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, the Heritage Discovery Centre opens from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. On Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve, the centre will close at 5pm. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of the Chinese New Year. Admission is free.

For enquiries, call 2208 4400. For details of the exhibition and other activities, visit AMO's website at http://www.amo.gov.hk/ .